ObesityHelp

I'm tired today...not sure why, but I sure am.
Today I made sure to NOT eat any microwaved chewy chicken, instead only a protein drink, cottage cheese and hummus.  So far so good.  This protein drink (isopure "alpine fruit" biz) sure isn't great though.  Hopefully I'll get used to it over time, and it is slightly better when very diluted with water adn cranberry juice.  I know its important to keep up my protein.  
Oh, forgot to report that today my weight was measured at 345... ninteen pounts less than the day of surgery!
Luvs!  JJ

Oh My Goodness Gracious.....
I don't know what the medical term for it is, but it felt like %)$(#*!
About two hours ago I heated up some chicken, was sooooo excited about it, ate too fast, and for the last hour or more have been feeling really crummy (pounding heart, upset stomach, light headedness, and overall MALAISE!!!).  As I lay down on the bed I heard a lot of rumbling in my "tummy" (probably my intestines), gas, and then relief.... I was able to go #2 and get rid of it!!  THANK GOD for small pleasures.

I asked Bernard to take note of how awful I was feeling, in hopes of a little loving reminder will keep me more sane in the future should I have the desire to "stuff" myself too quickly with the amounts of food that were more appropriate to my larger stomach..... 
Those days are gone!  
Those days are gone!  
Those days are gone!

Are you listening JJ????

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Today was a red banner day!!
I went up to Roseville to Dr. Waldrep's office to have my one-week post-operation follow-up, and to have my drain removed.

Right when Bernie and I walked in the office waiting room, there were my surgery pals... both of the other patients who had their surgeries on the same day as mine.  How wonderful.  One of them says that she's been having some difficulties, and I was so glad to hear that I'm not the only one.  Both of us are having a hard time drinknig enough fluids.  We're both having low moods from time to time, and pain.  I'm feeling better knowing now that I'm not an anomoly.

Then I got to see Mike, Dr. Waldrep's assistant to remove my drain.  I was frightened... but Bernie gave me his hand while Mike pulled.  He was right, it didn't hurt terribly, but felt more like menststrual cramping, and "poof," it was over!  I felt at that very moment that I could jump for joy!  I suddenly felt lighter and like something "foreign" was gone, and it was!  My poor little abdomen.... but it finally got rid of its overstaying guest!  
Mike then gave me the go-ahead to start eating mashed-up, blender-ized foods.... YIPPEEEEEEEEEE!!

Then, the moment I walked in the door I threw two little fish sticks in the oven and started making this mashed-potato mix.  When the fish came out of the oven and potatoes all whipped up, I put them in my little ramekin, chewed each at least 25 times, and ENJOYED.  Even Bimpki and Timpki (my baby rats) got to nibble a bit of momy's dinner.... and was it good!  I am so happy to see how quickly I get full.  Let's hope it stays this way!  It is kinda wierd not being able to drink while I eat, but I guess this is what I have to do.  

Oh, forgot to mention that I lost 12 pounds since Tuesday....  Double YIPPEE!

Amazing.....
I'm feeling still pretty "loopy," but gladly, well-enough to document here.  

Surgery was scheduled for 2:45 on Tuesday 1/16, but when I arrived at the hospital, it quickly became clear that time was going to pass more slowly than what was scheduled.   Apparently Dr. Waldrep had an "ememrgency" surgery that he had to attend to, and that put his schedule back.  
OH GOD....
After about 45 minutes, I was taken into the pre-op area, and two nurses quickly began the process of trying to get an IV started.  I say that it was a "process" for a reason.  I've always been told that I'm a "hard stick," (funny, I would have chosen the term "fluffy with mysterious veins," but "hard stick" I am in nursing circles).  A beautiful and sweet-as-could-be Hungarian nurse tried her best to distract me while shoving a cathetar into where there "usually" are veins on human bodies, but it didn't take long for me to be in my usual tears after her trying three different places..... aurgh I HATE IV's!  Well, I guess I am thankful for them, but I hate the initial process.

After about a two hour wait, the anesthesiologist came to ask the usual questions.  Nice guy.  Then, after about 20 minutes after that I was taken by a male nurse back to the cold white OR.  I got a little bonnet for my hair, gave Bernie a few good bye kisses, and was asked to scoot from my bed onto the parallel surface where it would all HAPPEN!  Moving my body has never been easy.  I wonder why they didn't just let me stand up and place my bum on the table, then lay down... oh well.  Not that I cared about much soon after that.  There was only the nurse who wheeled me in, another nurse "playing" with various laproscopic "instruments" and the anesthesiologist with me.  The anesthesiologist told me that I'd be receiving my medicaiton via my IV (okay..... I guess that I really do love my IV), and that's all I remember!  Until......

Arugh!  "I'm in pain!; I hurt!; I'm really feeling sick!; Can I get some help over here?; Nurse, are you listening to me?????"  God, what a horrible helpless feeling waking up after surgery.  Nobody really talks about it, like they don't really talk about other horrible life experiences..... but it was horrible!  I was dripping sweat on my brow and got a wet cloth "thrown" on me.  I was screaming in pain (all the while trying to maintain some dignity), and was only told that I was getting just enough medication, no so much as to put me in a coma.  Hell, I don't care, put me OUT!  Finally another nurse came over to look at my IV.  Lo-and-behold!  It wasn't working!  I really didn't care how much poking, shoving of my delicate veins he had to do... that was the least of my worries.  (What a difference a couple of hours make, eh?  And a couple of quantum leaps on the good ole pain scale!).  AND FINALLY....... relief.  THANK GOD, THANK GOD, THANK GOD.

Does anyone really like that "rush" you get with morphene?  There really is no better word.  Once the syringe is pumped into your IV line I start to feel all blue and rubbery inside, sweaty, like I'm going through a menopause hot/cold flash.  No fun.  But thank god it exists.  After that rush is all goodness....

I'm about readdy to "pop out of my skin," "explode, "burst"!
Interesting choice of words... but they're what fit!  I'm excited, anticipating, and want to get into that operating room already!  One more day of work (and it will be a BIG day.... two IEPs), then the weekend, then Monday (Martin Luther King Day), then SURGRY DAY :)

They tell me to be prepared for two nights in the hospital.  Bernard will take me up to Roseville Sutter Hospital, and I've been told that the surgery likely take place around 2:45.  

I need to go to the store this weekend to get broth, sugar free jello.  What else?  Guess I'd better make a list.....